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Q: Is it appropriate to use the term “race” when referring to the ethnic group of a person or a population?

Response

The term race is commonly used to categorize one population of an animal species (including the human species) from another of the same subspecies. The most widely used human racial categories are based on visible traits (especially skin color and facial features, genes, and self-identification). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

The biological concept of race, whereby human populations were divided into sub-species mainly on the basis of visible physical characteristics, was dominant from the early 19th century until its decline at the end of the Second World War. In retrospect, the biological concept of race was ill defined, poorly understood, and invalid and the science based on it needed sharper scientific criticism. The modern concept of race, particularly as utilized by many scholars in the United States, emphasizes its social origins rather than its biological basis. In this perspective, race provides a way of defining populations for social purposes, that look different and have different ancestral roots.

Since the 1940s, evolutionary scientists have rejected the view of race in which any number of finite lists of essential characteristics could be used to determine a like number of races. Evolutionary scientists argue that race definitions are imprecise, arbitrary, derived from custom, have many exceptions and gradations, and that the number of races observed vary according to the culture examined.

Many regard race as a social construct. Conceptions of race, as well as specific racial groupings, vary over time and between cultures. Race and racial groupings are often controversial, for scientific reasons, and their impact on social identity and identity politics. The term ethnicity is replacing the scientifically limited and somewhat discredited term race in the scientific literature, however the concept of race is necessary to study racism. “Purpose and context are the prime determinants of the way that race and ethnicity concepts are applied...the term race should be used with caution for its history is one of misuse and injustice”, (Bhopal, 2003).

Current Disagreement Across Disciplines

The current literature suggests that the meaning and validity of the concept of race regarding human variation lacks consensus across different disciplines, except biology.

In the 19th century, race was a central concept of anthropology. In 1866, James Hunt, the founder of the Anthropological Society of London, declared that anthropology’s primary truth “is the existence of well-marked psychological and moral distinctions in the different races of men.” However, this view became marginalized in the 20th century. Since 1932, college textbooks introducing physical anthropology have increasingly come to reject race as a valid concept:

from 1932 to 1976, only seven out of thirty-two rejected race;
from 1975 to 1984, thirteen out of thirty-three rejected race;
from 1985 to 1993, thirteen out of nineteen rejected race.

The American Anthropological Association, drawing on biological research, currently holds that "The concept of race is a social and cultural construction. . . . Race simply cannot be tested or proven scientifically," and that, "It is clear that human populations are not unambiguous, clearly demarcated, biologically distinct groups. The concept of 'race' has no validity . . . in the human species".

Daily Uses of the Term

Some argue it is preferable when considering biological relations to think in terms of populations, and when considering cultural relations to think in terms of ethnicity, rather than of race. Instead of classing people into one "group", such as "Caucasians" or “Europeans” there are British, French, Germans, Nords, western Slavs and Celts and others who differ notably, both in culture, and in physical appearance from each other. There can be as much difference between two ethnicities grouped into a single "race" as there can be between ethnicities, often arbitrarily grouped into another “race".

Conclusion

Current debate suggests that it is inappropriate to use the term “race” when referring to the ethnic group of a person or a population. “Ethnicity” is a more appropriate and acceptable term to use.

Diversity and Alberta Health Services Home Diversity Competency Resources Publications Demographics Programs & Services Health Info. for Diverse Populations Community Partners Contact Us	Diversity and Alberta Health Services Diversity Resources Diversity FAQ'S On-line Diversity Competency Self-Assessments \| Diversity FAQ's \| Diversity Library \| Diversity Definitions \| Health and Diverse Populations \| Research & Publications Q: Is it appropriate to use the term “race” when referring to the ethnic group of a person or a population? Response The term race is commonly used to categorize one population of an animal species (including the human species) from another of the same subspecies. The most widely used human racial categories are based on visible traits (especially skin color and facial features, genes, and self-identification). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org The biological concept of race, whereby human populations were divided into sub-species mainly on the basis of visible physical characteristics, was dominant from the early 19th century until its decline at the end of the Second World War. In retrospect, the biological concept of race was ill defined, poorly understood, and invalid and the science based on it needed sharper scientific criticism. The modern concept of race, particularly as utilized by many scholars in the United States, emphasizes its social origins rather than its biological basis. In this perspective, race provides a way of defining populations for social purposes, that look different and have different ancestral roots. Since the 1940s, evolutionary scientists have rejected the view of race in which any number of finite lists of essential characteristics could be used to determine a like number of races. Evolutionary scientists argue that race definitions are imprecise, arbitrary, derived from custom, have many exceptions and gradations, and that the number of races observed vary according to the culture examined. Many regard race as a social construct. Conceptions of race, as well as specific racial groupings, vary over time and between cultures. Race and racial groupings are often controversial, for scientific reasons, and their impact on social identity and identity politics. The term ethnicity is replacing the scientifically limited and somewhat discredited term race in the scientific literature, however the concept of race is necessary to study racism. “Purpose and context are the prime determinants of the way that race and ethnicity concepts are applied...the term race should be used with caution for its history is one of misuse and injustice”, (Bhopal, 2003). Current Disagreement Across Disciplines The current literature suggests that the meaning and validity of the concept of race regarding human variation lacks consensus across different disciplines, except biology. In the 19th century, race was a central concept of anthropology. In 1866, James Hunt, the founder of the Anthropological Society of London, declared that anthropology’s primary truth “is the existence of well-marked psychological and moral distinctions in the different races of men.” However, this view became marginalized in the 20th century. Since 1932, college textbooks introducing physical anthropology have increasingly come to reject race as a valid concept: from 1932 to 1976, only seven out of thirty-two rejected race; from 1975 to 1984, thirteen out of thirty-three rejected race; from 1985 to 1993, thirteen out of nineteen rejected race. The American Anthropological Association, drawing on biological research, currently holds that "The concept of race is a social and cultural construction. . . . Race simply cannot be tested or proven scientifically," and that, "It is clear that human populations are not unambiguous, clearly demarcated, biologically distinct groups. The concept of 'race' has no validity . . . in the human species". Daily Uses of the Term Some argue it is preferable when considering biological relations to think in terms of populations, and when considering cultural relations to think in terms of ethnicity, rather than of race. Instead of classing people into one "group", such as "Caucasians" or “Europeans” there are British, French, Germans, Nords, western Slavs and Celts and others who differ notably, both in culture, and in physical appearance from each other. There can be as much difference between two ethnicities grouped into a single "race" as there can be between ethnicities, often arbitrarily grouped into another “race". Conclusion Current debate suggests that it is inappropriate to use the term “race” when referring to the ethnic group of a person or a population. “Ethnicity” is a more appropriate and acceptable term to use.
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